Heat exchanger



Sept 1934- J. o. TEMPLETON HEAT EXCHANGER 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Jan. 31, 1931 Patented Sept. 18, 1934 HEAT EXCHANGER John 0. Templeton, Pittsburgh, Pa.

Application January 31,

1931, Serial No."512,585

Renewed March 29, 1933 9 Claims. (01. 257-133) invention relates to subject milk to a heating or sterilizing operation at a temperature calculated to destroy objectionablebacteria. The present invention contemplates utilizing a heat ex- 7 changer in connection with such an operation for the purpose of effecting aregen'erative'cycle by transferring the heat of thetreated milk to the body of milk passing to the heater. Such a heat exchanging operation not only conserves heat in the sterilizing operation'by decreasing the range through which it is necessary to rise the temperature of the milk, but also effects a heat extraction from the previously heated milk, thereby facilitating subsequent handling operations of the treated milk.

It is customary to effect a sterilizing operation of the character hereinbefore referred to at a temperature in the neighborhood of F. so that in many cases it is necessary to cool the sterilized liquid before bottling the same.

While the broad idea of a regenerative cycle of the general nature herein contemplated for purposes of heat abstraction, aeration and the like, is not new, apparatuses heretofore provided for this purpose has presented certain difiiculties with respect to changes in the volume of liquid being treated and in the cleaning of the apparatus after use. In most of the States, legislation hasbeen enacted requiring dairies and the like to efiect a thorough cleaning of theapparatus into contact with which the milk is brought after each use thereof. Where tubes are utilized for the carrying of milk, it becomes apparent that the problem of eiiiciently cleaning the tubes and the tube headers is a serious one. In addition to this, apparatus with which I am familiar has been designed with respect to the handling of a predetermined and substantiallyconstant volume of liquid. 7 I

The present invention contemplates an improved construction involving a series of tube nests, which tube nests each include headers at the Opposite ends of the tubes, the headers for the tube nests being'detachably coupled together. Due to this construction the headers may bereadily separated for cleaning and for the purpose of permitting the insertion or removal of 'one or more headers for increasing or decreasing the total capacity of the unit. .These individual tube nests maybe referred to as units, each including a predetermined number of tubesthrough which there is a flow in series from the inlet of fthe'tub'e' pass to the discharge thereof, the assembling'oi a plurality of units automatically afiording' a flow invparallel through the various units. 7 It is a further object of the present invention to provide a plurality of units of the generaljcharacter referred to which may be 'ccnipac'tly as sembled whereby the'apparatus as a whole. will occupy a comparatively small space. which maybe locatedas closely as convenient tdthe sterilizing apparatusin order to facilitate the handlingof the milk and in order to permit the 'milkpassin'g to the sterilizer to receive the full benefit of the heat from the previously sterilized milk} "Still another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus of the character de. scribed whichis of such construction that assembly and'disas'sembly may be readily. accomplished, and in which the individual units are'of suchsi'ze' that they may bereadily placed in a'. suitable cabinet for purposes of sterilization beror'erur:

ther use. I I

In the accompanying drawings I have shown for purposes of illustration only, a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In'the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portion of an apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention} Figure 2 isa longitudinal transverse sectional view through a structure built inaccordane with the showing of Figure 1; J

Figure 3 is a partial longitudinal sectional View along the line III III of Figure 2, looking'in the direction of the arrows; Figure 4 is a view, partly broken away, along the line IV-IV of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows; T

Figure 5 is a side elevational view of one of the return headers; and a I T Figure 6 is a side elevational view of one of the gaskets utilized intermediate the return headers. In Figure 1 of the drawings there is illustrated a heat exchanging apparatus of the generalcharacter herein contemplated including three units of tube nestsdesignated A, B and Crespectively. The unit A includes an inlet header 2"and a 1'6? turn header 3' betweenwhich extend tubes 4 in vertically superimposed relationship. The in termediate unit likewise includes an inletheader 5, a return header 6 and tubesf'i, while thethird unit, of similar construction, includes 'an inlet header 8, a return header 9 and tubes 10.1 ,I.

By referencerto the drawingsitwill be noted that each of the inlet headers 2, and 8 is of the same construction, and therefore interchangeable one with the other. Each inlet header is formed adjacent the lower end thereof with a transversely extending opening 11, which openings constitute a continuation, one of the other, when the headers are in assembled relationship as illustrated. in Figure 1. These openings therefore provide an inlet manifold from which extend the bottom tubes of the nests 4, 7 and 10 respectively, effective for conveying liquid received from the manifold in the direction indicated by the arrows 12. This liquid is conveyed into transversely extending openings 1% in the lower ends of the return headers 3, 6 and 9.

These openings are effective for returning the liquid in the direction indicated by the arrows through the second row of tubes of the respective headers. This liquid in turn enters openings 16 in the inlet headers 2, 5 and 8, similar in. all respects to the openings 14 and effective for again returning the liquid to the return headers 3, 6 and 9, respectively, through the'tubes of the respective nests. More particularly from Figure 2 of therdrawings it Will be apparent that this operation'is repeated through successive openings 17 in the return headers 3, 6 and 9 and successive openings 18 in the inlet headers 2, 5 and 8 until the top row'of tubes is reached. These tubes dis' charge into transversely extending openings 19 in the inlet headers 2, 5 and 8, which openings, similar to the openings 11, are adapted to aline one with the other when the units are assembled and provide a discharge manifold.

It will be observed that the openings 11, 16, 18 and 19 in the inlet headers extend the entire width of the respective headers and open through the sides 20 thereof. In order to prevent the openings 16 and 18 from constituting cross connections intermediate the inlet manifold 11 and the outlet manifold 19, and further to provide a tight joint intermediate the respective headers, there are provided gaskets 21, which gaskets are perforated in alinement with the openings 11 and 19 and solid throughout the remainder of their length. They thus constitute division means between the headers, isolating the headers in such manner that there can be a flow in parallel through the tube nests of all of the units as a Whole with a flow in series through the tubes of any one nest or unit. In like manner there are provided gaskets 22 intermediate the return headers 3, 6 and 9 which are similarly perforated adjacent the transverse opening 14 only and solid thoughout the remainder of their length to insure anoperation of the character referred to.

' For effecting the delivery of a liquid into the manifold 11, there is provided a side plate 23 serving as a closure for one side of the apparatus and serving to clamp a sealing gasket 24 in position against the outside of the inlet header 2. Cooperating with the side plate 23 is an inlet connection 25 through which fluid is supplied to the manifold.

Cooperating with the outside of the inlet header 8 is a side plate 26 which is eifective through the medium of a gasket 2'7 for sealing the outer ends of all of the transverse openings within the inlet headers. It will be understood that the gasket 24 is only perforated adjacent its lower end in line with the transverse openings 11. The gasket 2'7 is likewise perforated adjacent its upper end only for cooperation with the outlet openings 19 to permit the discharge of fluid therefrom through the gasket into an outlet connection 28 similar to the inlet connection 25. Extending transversely through the inlet headers at suitably spaced points are through bolts 29. The lower bolt is effective for clamping the inlet headers together and for securing the inlet connection 25 in place, while the upper bolt 29 is likewise effective for exerting a clamping action and securing the outlet connection 28 in place. It is to be understood that the gaskets are all formed with openings so located as to permit the passage therethrough of clamping and assembly bolts 29.

By reference more particularly to Figure 3 of the drawings, it will be observed that the inlet heads 2, 5 and 8 are of such configuration in horizontal transverse section as to form a parallelogram including no right angles. In the specific construction shown the'individual headers are of rhomboidal shape and cross section, although it will be understood that they might be of equilateral dimensions on the respective sides so as to form rhombs, or of such other cross sectional area as to permit the attainment of the object now to be pointed out.

By reference to Figure 2 it will be noted that the tubes 4, 7 and 10 are secured in position in openings 30 in the sides'31 of the respective inlet headers. The sides adjoining the tube plates 31 thus provided, extend at an angle thereto such that an axis 32 of one of the tubes when extended will project through one of the transverse openings in the inlet header and be freely accessible upon disassembly of the units for the reception of a brush, tube cleaner or the like. While the return headers 3, 6 and 9 may be of a construcin place in any desired manner, and. readily removable to permit cleaning of the tubes. For this purpose, the rear walls of the headers themselves are formed with openings 35 through which access to the tubes upon removal of the plates, is permitted. The return headers 3, 6 and 9, similarly to the inlet headers 2', 5 and 8, are adapted to be held in place by through bolts 36 which clamp the headers in cooperative relation about the gaskets provided intermediate the headers.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that by merely changing the length of the through bolts, any desired number of tube units may be readily assembled in cooperative relationship so that a tube structure will include from two units up to any number in excess thereof. Where two units only are utilized, the intermediate unit including the inlet header 5, the return header 6 and tubes 7 will be removed, the other units being retained.

Extending between the headers of each unit are distributing troughs 37 which are adapted to recrease in pressure in the tubes such that in case of leakage, the tendency will be for the treated milk exteriorly of the tubes to again enter the tubes and thus pass again to the sterilizer. In this way any contamination of the sterilized milk is prevented. The sterilized and heated milk in passing downwardly over the tubes transfers its heat to the milk within the tubes on its way to the sterilizer, thus cooling the sterilized milk, and heating the incoming milk to a temperature such that the work of the sterilizer is correspondingly decreased.

Due to the particular cross sectional configuration of the inlet headers 2, 5 and 8, there is a tendency for the same to slip one upon the other during the tightening of the through bolts 29. To obviate this slipping tendency, the headers may be provided with lugs or offsets 39 of suitable construction adapted to overlie an adjacent header and prevent undesirable movement of the character referred to and more effectively interlock the inlet headers and the units when assembled.

Under normal conditions of operation the temperature of the sterilized milk, if delivered to the heat exchanger at a temperature in the neighborhood of 160 from the sterilizer, may have its temperature reduced to approximately At this temperature the milk cannot be bottled and it is necessary to subject the same to artificial cooling. For this purpose the milk may be either collected and passed through a cooler, or the heat exchanger may be assembled in cooperative relation to a suitable cooler whereby the milk after leaving the outside of the bottom row of tubes of the regenerator will pass directly over the tube surfaces of a suitable cooling apparatus. Where such an operation is contemplated, I will preferably supply the units of the heat exchanger with false tubes 40 effective for bridging the space between the heat exchanger and the cooler and continuing the path of flow of the milk. Such a false tube is indicated in Figure 1. It will be understood that such false tubes do not communicate with the interior of the other tubes and constitute flow conducting means only as to their outer surfaces.

t will further be understood that the distributing troughs 37 for the heat exchangers may i either receive the milk through suitable connections directly from the sterilizer, or that they may be projected into the headers themselves and receive milk through suitable manifold openings therein. I'he particular construction in this respect may be varied to suit the convenience of the user and does not limit the utility of the invention.

The advantages of the present invention arise from a flexible, easily cleaned unit construction of the character described, whereby the capacity may be easily varied at will, and the parts readily disassembled and cleaned for sterilizing purposes.

While I have herein illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the present invention,

it will be understood that changes in the construction and arrangement of the parts may be made Without departing either from the spirit of the invention or the scope of my broader claims.

I claim:

1. In a heat exchanger, a plurality of units each including a tube nest, and individual headers for each nest at each end of the tubes, the

' headers at one end of the units forming substantially in transverse section a parallelogram not including any right angles.

2. In a heat exchanger, a plurality of units each including a tube nest, individual headers for each nest at each end of the tubes, some of said headers having sides inclined to the axes of the tubes and permitting access to the tubes upon separation of the headers, and means for holding the headers in assembled relationship.

3. In a heat exchanger, a plurality of units each including a tube nest, individual headers for each nest at each end of the tubes the headers at one end of the unit having ports therein registering with the ports of the adjacent headers, the headers being arranged in face-to-face relation, means for detachably assembling the units, removable cleaning plates carried by certain of said headers, and inlet and outlet connections secured to other of said headers.

4. In a heat exchanger, a plurality of units each including a tube nest, individual headers for each tube nest at each end of the tubes, the headers at one end of the tubes being of rhomboidal cross section and the headers at the opposite end of the tubes being of rectangular cross section.

6. In a heat exchanger, a unit comprising a header having transverse passages therethrough, tube receiving openings substantially normal to the axes of said passages, tubes in said openings, a second header cooperating with the opposite end of said tubes and having tube receiving openings therefor, there being transverse openings in said second header substantially normal to the axes of said tubes.

6. In a heat exchanger, a unit comprising a header having transverse passages therethrough, tube receiving openings substantially normal to the axes of said passages, tubes in said openings, a second header cooperating with the opposite end of said tubes and having tube receiving openings therefor, there being transverse openings in said second header substantially normal to the axes of said tubes, the side walls of one of said headers extending in a plane oblique to the axes of the tubes.

'7. In a heat exchanger, a plurality of units each including a tube nest, individual headers for each nest at each end of the tubes, some of said headers having sides inclined to the axes of the tubes and permitting access to the tubes upon separation of the headers, the headers at one end of the units having ports therein registering with the ports of the adjacent headers, the headers being arranged in face to face relation, and means for detachably connecting the individual headers.

8. In a heat exchanger, a plurality of units each including a tube nest, individual headers for each nest at each end of the tubes, some of said headers having sides inclined to the axes of the tubes and permitting access to the tubes upon separation of the headers, means within the headers to insure a series flow through the tubes of each unit and a parallel flow through the units as such, and means for detachably connecting the individual headers.

9. In a heat exchanger, a plurality of units each including a tube nest, individual headers for each nest at each end of the tubes, some of said headers having sides inclined to the axes of the tubes, and means within the headers to insure a series flow through the tubes of each unit and a parallel flow through the units as such.

JOHN O. TEMPLETON. 

